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B1 noun #4,000 most common 11 min read

婚礼

hunli Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 婚礼 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 婚礼 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that **婚礼 (hūnlǐ)** means 'wedding.' You should be able to recognize it in simple sentences like '我参加婚礼' (I attend a wedding). You might learn it alongside words for family members like '哥哥' (older brother) or '姐姐' (older sister). At this stage, don't worry about the complex rituals; just remember that it is a noun for a big party where people get married. It is usually a happy word. You might see it on a calendar or an invitation card. The key is to distinguish it from '结婚' (to get married). Just think: '婚礼' is the party, '结婚' is the action.

At the A2 level, you should be able to describe a **婚礼 (hūnlǐ)** using basic adjectives. You can say '婚礼很漂亮' (The wedding is very beautiful) or '婚礼在饭店' (The wedding is at a restaurant). You should also start using the correct measure word '场' (chǎng), as in '一场婚礼'. You might talk about what people wear to a 婚礼, such as '红色的衣服' (red clothes). You can understand simple questions like '你什么时候举办婚礼？' (When will you hold your wedding ceremony?). You are starting to see 婚礼 as a social event that requires planning and travel.

At the B1 level, you can discuss the details of a **婚礼 (hūnlǐ)**. You can talk about the process of '筹备婚礼' (preparing for a wedding) and the different styles, such as '中式婚礼' (Chinese-style wedding) and '西式婚礼' (Western-style wedding). You understand that a 婚礼 involves '请帖' (invitations) and '红包' (red envelopes). You can express your feelings about a 婚礼, such as being '感动' (moved) or '兴奋' (excited). You are comfortable using the word in various sentence structures and can handle basic social interactions related to attending a wedding, such as congratulating the couple.

At the B2 level, you can engage in deeper conversations about the cultural significance of a **婚礼 (hūnlǐ)**. You can discuss how 婚礼 traditions have changed in modern China compared to the past. You might talk about the '婚礼开销' (wedding expenses) and how they affect young couples. You can use more formal verbs like '主持' (to preside over/emcee) or '策划' (to plan/design). You understand the social pressure associated with a 婚礼 and can read articles or watch news segments about celebrity weddings or social trends like '旅行婚礼' (travel/destination weddings) versus traditional ones.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of **婚礼 (hūnlǐ)** and its related idioms and literary references. You can discuss the '礼仪' (etiquette) involved in different regional 婚礼 across China. You can analyze the symbolism in a 婚礼, such as the '龙凤呈祥' (dragon and phoenix bringing prosperity) motifs. You can write sophisticated essays about the role of the 婚礼 in maintaining family structures or criticize the '铺张浪费' (extravagance and waste) sometimes seen in modern ceremonies. You are familiar with the specific vocabulary used by '司仪' (wedding emcees) and can follow complex speeches during the ceremony.

At the C2 level, you can discuss **婚礼 (hūnlǐ)** from a sociological, historical, or philosophical perspective. You can compare the '婚礼' rituals of different ethnic minorities in China with the Han majority. You can discuss the legal versus the ritual aspects of marriage, using 婚礼 as a focal point for exploring the concept of '契约' (contract) versus '盟誓' (vow). You can appreciate classical literature or poetry that describes ancient 婚礼 and understand the historical evolution of the characters '婚' and '礼'. You are capable of hosting or delivering a formal speech at a high-level 婚礼 with perfect tone and cultural appropriateness.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

婚礼 in 30 Seconds

婚礼 (hūnlǐ) is a noun meaning 'wedding ceremony.' It is a formal term used for the event itself, distinct from the verb 'to get married.'
It typically involves rituals, a banquet (婚宴), and the exchange of red envelopes (红包). It is a major social event in Chinese culture.
Common verbs used with it include 参加 (attend) and 举办 (hold). The standard measure word is 场 (chǎng).
Traditional Chinese weddings focus on the color red, while modern ones often blend Western and Eastern elements like white dresses and tea ceremonies.

The Chinese word 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) is a compound noun that serves as the cornerstone of social and familial unions in Chinese culture. At its most basic level, it translates to 'wedding ceremony.' However, to understand its full weight, one must look at the individual characters. The first character, 婚 (hūn), refers to marriage or the act of taking a wife, traditionally associated with the character for 'woman' and 'dusk,' as weddings were historically held in the evening. The second character, 礼 (lǐ), signifies ritual, ceremony, etiquette, or gift. Together, 婚礼 represents not just a party, but a deeply structured ritual that validates a union in the eyes of the family, the community, and the state.

Social Context: In modern China, a 婚礼 is often a massive production. It is the primary way for a family to 'gain face' (面子) and demonstrate their social standing. Unlike Western weddings which might focus solely on the couple's romance, a Chinese 婚礼 is a public declaration of the merging of two families. You will hear this word used months in advance during the planning phase, on the day of the event, and for years afterward when people reminisce about the 'banquet' (婚宴) that accompanied the 婚礼.

他们下个月要举办一场盛大的婚礼。 (Tāmen xià gè yuè yào jǔbàn yī chǎng shèngdà de hūnlǐ. - They are going to hold a grand wedding next month.)

The word is versatile. It can refer to a traditional ceremony involving tea rituals and red qipaos, or a modern 'white wedding' with a tuxedo and gown. In conversation, people use 婚礼 to discuss the logistics ('Where is the 婚礼?'), the invitation ('I received a 婚礼 invitation'), and the financial aspect ('How much should I give at the 婚礼?'). It is a formal term, yet it carries an emotional warmth that signals a major life milestone.

Register and Usage: 婚礼 is suitable for all levels of formality. In news reports, it sounds professional; in casual chats between friends, it sounds natural. It is frequently paired with the measure word '场' (chǎng), which is used for events or performances, highlighting that a wedding is seen as a significant occasion or spectacle.

这场婚礼非常有创意。 (Zhè chǎng hūnlǐ fēicháng yǒu chuàngyì. - This wedding ceremony is very creative.)

Beyond the mainland, 婚礼 is used across the Chinese-speaking world, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, though local customs vary. In every context, it remains the standard term for the formal celebration of marriage. Whether it's a small destination 婚礼 or a thousand-guest banquet in a village, the term remains the same, anchoring the concept of ritualized union in the language.

Using 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the verbs it typically associates with. Because it represents a significant event, it often appears as the object of verbs like '参加' (cānjiā - to attend), '举办' (jǔbàn - to hold/host), and '筹备' (chóubèi - to prepare/plan). You cannot 'do' a 婚礼; you must 'host' or 'attend' it.

Common Verb Pairings

参加婚礼 (Attend a wedding): The most common way to say you are going to a wedding.
举办婚礼 (Hold a wedding): Used when the couple or their families are the ones organizing the event.
筹备婚礼 (Prepare for a wedding): Refers to the long process of planning.

我正在筹备我的婚礼，感觉压力很大。 (Wǒ zhèngzài chóubèi wǒ de hūnlǐ, gǎnjué yālì hěn dà. - I am currently preparing for my wedding; I feel a lot of pressure.)

When describing the 婚礼, you can use a variety of adjectives. Common ones include '盛大的' (shèngdà de - grand), '浪漫的' (làngmàn de - romantic), '中式的' (zhōngshì de - Chinese style), and '西式的' (xīshì de - Western style). Because 婚礼 is a formal noun, it is rarely modified by very slangy adjectives, though '完美的' (wánměi de - perfect) is a favorite for happy couples.

Sentence Structure Examples

Subject + 参加 + Possessive + 婚礼: 我要去参加我朋友的婚礼。 (I am going to attend my friend's wedding.)

婚礼 + 在 + Location + 举行: 婚礼在一家五星级酒店举行。 (The wedding ceremony is being held in a five-star hotel.)

由于天气原因，他们的草坪婚礼被迫取消了。 (Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, tāmen de cǎopíng hūnlǐ bèipò qǔxiāo le. - Due to weather reasons, their lawn wedding ceremony was forced to be cancelled.)

In more advanced usage, 婚礼 can be part of compound nouns like '婚礼策划师' (hūnlǐ cèhuà shī - wedding planner) or '婚礼现场' (hūnlǐ xiànchǎng - wedding venue/scene). It is also the subject of many cultural discussions regarding the cost of living and traditional values. By mastering these patterns, you can discuss one of the most important social events in Chinese life with precision and cultural awareness.

You will encounter the word 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) in a wide array of settings, from intimate family dinners to the loudest media broadcasts. Its frequency in Chinese life cannot be overstated, as it represents a core pillar of social obligation and celebration. If you live in China, especially during 'Golden Week' in October or the lunar New Year period, you will hear this word constantly as these are peak seasons for getting married.

1. Daily Life and Social Invitations: The most common place to hear the word is when a friend or colleague approaches you with a red envelope or a digital invitation on WeChat. They might say, '我想请你参加我的婚礼' (I'd like to invite you to my wedding). This starts a series of conversations about the date, the venue, and the logistics of the 婚礼. It’s also common to hear colleagues gossiping in the office about a recent 婚礼 they attended, discussing the food quality or the extravagance of the decor.

你收到张伟婚礼的请帖了吗？ (Nǐ shōudào Zhāng Wěi hūnlǐ de qǐngtiě le ma? - Did you receive the invitation to Zhang Wei's wedding?)

2. Media and Pop Culture: Chinese TV dramas (often called 'C-dramas') are obsessed with 婚礼. Whether it's a historical drama featuring a traditional royal 婚礼 with red palanquins or a modern idol drama with a tear-jerking beach 婚礼, the word is a staple of the script. Reality shows about wedding planning or celebrity 婚礼 are also extremely popular, where the word is repeated in titles and dialogue to emphasize the glamour and drama of the event.

这部电影的结尾是一场非常感人的婚礼。 (Zhè bù diànyǐng de jiéwěi shì yī chǎng fēicháng gǎnrén de hūnlǐ. - The end of this movie is a very touching wedding ceremony.)

3. News and Social Media: On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) or Weibo, '婚礼' is a major hashtag. Users share '婚礼攻略' (wedding strategy/guides), photos of their '婚礼布置' (wedding setup), and reviews of '婚礼司仪' (wedding MCs). News outlets might report on '集体婚礼' (mass weddings) organized by the government or '极简婚礼' (minimalist weddings) which are becoming a trend among the younger generation who want to escape the high costs of traditional 婚礼.

Finally, you will hear it in shops. Wedding photography is a massive industry in China. Entire districts in cities like Shanghai or Beijing are dedicated to '婚礼摄影' (wedding photography), where you will hear salespeople use the word 婚礼 to sell packages that include pre-wedding shoots, gown rentals, and makeup services. In all these contexts, 婚礼 acts as a signifier of transition, family duty, and celebration.

While 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) seems straightforward, English speakers often trip over its grammatical constraints and cultural nuances. The most frequent error involves the confusion between the noun '婚礼' and the verb '结婚' (jiéhūn). In English, 'wedding' and 'marriage' are often used loosely, but in Chinese, the distinction is rigid.

Mistake 1: Confusing Noun and Verb

Learners often say '我想婚礼' (I want wedding) when they mean '我想结婚' (I want to get married). 婚礼 is a noun. You cannot use it as a verb. You must use it with a verb like '办' (bàn - to do/run) or '举办' (jǔbàn - to hold).

Incorrect: 他们昨天婚礼了。 (They wedding-ed yesterday.)

Correct: 他们昨天举办了婚礼。 (They held a wedding ceremony yesterday.)

很多人分不清“结婚”和“婚礼”的区别。 (Hěnduō rén fēn bù qīng “jiéhūn” hé “hūnlǐ” de qūbié. - Many people cannot distinguish the difference between 'getting married' and 'wedding ceremony'.)

Mistake 2: Wrong Measure Word: Using '一个' (yī gè) for a 婚礼 is not technically 'wrong' in very casual speech, but it sounds unpolished. As mentioned before, '场' (chǎng) is the proper measure word. Using '个' makes the speaker sound like a beginner. In formal writing, always use '一场婚礼'.

Mistake 3: Overlooking '婚宴' (hūnyàn): Often, learners use 婚礼 to refer to the dinner party. While 婚礼 covers the whole event, if you are specifically talking about the 10-course meal and the drinking, the more specific term is 婚宴 (wedding banquet). Using 婚礼 to describe the food might be a bit vague.

虽然婚礼很短，但婚宴持续了四个小时。 (Suīrán hūnlǐ hěn duǎn, dàn hūnyàn chíxù le sì gè xiǎoshí. - Although the wedding ceremony was short, the banquet lasted for four hours.)

Finally, cultural mistakes are common. When talking about a 婚礼, never mention 'giving a clock' (送钟 - sòngzhōng, which sounds like 'attending a funeral') or wearing all white/black unless you are sure it's a Western-style event. While the word 婚礼 itself is neutral, the context in which you use it must respect these deep-seated linguistic and cultural taboos.

To truly master the vocabulary of marriage, you need to know how 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) compares to other related terms. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for social ceremonies, and using the right word shows a high level of proficiency.

1. 婚礼 vs. 结婚 (jiéhūn): 婚礼 is the event (noun). 结婚 is the act or state (verb). You can say '他们结婚了' (They got married) but you cannot say '他们婚礼了'. Conversely, you can say '婚礼很漂亮' (The wedding was beautiful) but '结婚很漂亮' sounds like 'getting married is beautiful' (the concept, not the visual event).

2. 婚礼 vs. 婚宴 (hūnyàn): 婚礼 refers to the entire ceremony, including the vows and the ritual. 婚宴 specifically refers to the banquet/dinner. If you are a foodie and want to talk about the shark fin soup (or modern alternatives), you are talking about the 婚宴. In many Chinese villages, the 婚宴 is the only part people care about!

比起婚礼上的宣誓，我更期待晚上的婚宴。 (Bǐqǐ hūnlǐ shàng de xuānshì, wǒ gèng qīdài wǎnshàng de hūnyàn. - Compared to the vows at the wedding ceremony, I am more looking forward to the banquet in the evening.)

3. 婚礼 vs. 典礼 (diǎnlǐ): 典礼 is a general word for 'ceremony.' You can have a 毕业典礼 (graduation ceremony) or an 开幕典礼 (opening ceremony). 婚礼 is a specific type of 典礼. You would never call a wedding just a '典礼' unless you were trying to be extremely formal and vague.

这次婚礼是今年最受关注的典礼之一。 (Zhè cì hūnlǐ shì jīnnián zuì shòu guānzhù de diǎnlǐ zhī yī. - This wedding ceremony is one of the most watched ceremonies this year.)

4. 婚礼 vs. 喜酒 (xǐjiǔ): 喜酒 literally means 'happy wine.' It is a metonymy for the wedding banquet. People often say '去喝喜酒' (go drink happy wine) to mean 'attending a wedding banquet.' This is much more informal and colloquial than '参加婚礼'. If a friend says '什么时候喝你的喜酒？' they are playfully asking 'When are you getting married?'

Understanding these synonyms allows you to adjust your register. Use 婚礼 for planning and formal discussion, 婚宴 when talking about the food, and 喜酒 when joking with friends over drinks. Each word paints a slightly different picture of the same joyous occasion.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Historically, Chinese weddings were quiet affairs held at night. The loud, red, noisy celebrations we see today only became popular in later dynasties as weddings became public displays of status.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /xuən li/

US /hwun li/

The stress is balanced between the two syllables, but the third tone on 'lǐ' often makes it sound more prominent in the sentence.

Rhymes With

婚 (hūn): 军 (jūn), 君 (jūn), 吞 (tūn), 尊 (zūn) 礼 (lǐ): 你 (nǐ), 几 (jǐ), 米 (mǐ), 起 (qǐ), 已 (yǐ), 理 (lǐ), 喜 (xǐ), 比 (bǐ)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'hūn' with a falling tone like 'hùn' (which can mean 'messy' or 'muddy').
Failing to dip low enough on the third tone of 'lǐ'.
Mixing up 'lǐ' (ceremony) with 'lì' (strength/power).
Pronouncing 'hūn' like the English word 'honey' without the 'ey'.
Forgetting the 'u' sound in 'hūn', making it sound like 'hen'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are medium difficulty but very common.

Writing 4/5

The character '礼' and '婚' have many strokes and require practice.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you master the first and third tones.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

家人爱请大

Learn Next

结婚礼物红包祝贺幸福

Advanced

礼仪习俗繁文缛节承载融合

Grammar to Know

Measure word '场' (chǎng) for events.

一场精彩的婚礼 (A wonderful wedding).

Using '在...上' to mean 'at/during'.

在婚礼上，大家都哭了。 (At the wedding, everyone cried.)

Verb '举办' vs '举行'.

举办婚礼 (Host a wedding) vs 婚礼举行 (The wedding is held).

Attribute marker '的' for nouns.

豪华的婚礼 (Luxurious wedding).

Placement of '由于' (due to) for reasons.

由于疫情，婚礼推迟了。 (Due to the epidemic, the wedding was postponed.)

Examples by Level

这是我的婚礼。

This is my wedding.

Use '这是' (This is) to introduce the noun.

婚礼在星期日。

The wedding is on Sunday.

Time goes before the event or after the subject.

我不去婚礼。

I am not going to the wedding.

Negation with '不'.

婚礼很美。

The wedding is very beautiful.

Adjective '美' with '很'.

他参加婚礼。

He attends a wedding.

Verb '参加' means to attend.

婚礼有很多菜。

The wedding has many dishes.

'有很多' (has many) describes the content.

你的婚礼在哪儿？

Where is your wedding?

Question word '在哪儿' (where).

我喜欢婚礼。

I like weddings.

Simple subject-verb-object.

我想买一件婚礼穿的衣服。

I want to buy a piece of clothing to wear to a wedding.

The phrase '婚礼穿的' acts as an adjective for '衣服'.

他们办了一场简单的婚礼。

They held a simple wedding.

Measure word '场' used for the event.

婚礼上有很多好朋友。

There are many good friends at the wedding.

'婚礼上' means 'at/during the wedding'.

你要去参加谁的婚礼？

Whose wedding are you going to attend?

'谁的' (whose) modifies '婚礼'.

婚礼的蛋糕非常好吃。

The wedding cake is very delicious.

Possessive '的' connecting wedding and cake.

我们给他们送了婚礼礼物。

We gave them a wedding gift.

Double object: give someone something.

婚礼几点开始？

What time does the wedding start?

'几点' (what time) before the verb '开始'.

那场婚礼非常热闹。

That wedding was very lively/bustling.

'热闹' is a common adjective for Chinese social events.

为了筹备这场婚礼，他们忙了半年。

To prepare for this wedding, they were busy for half a year.

'为了' (for the purpose of) starts the sentence.

中式婚礼通常以红色为主。

Chinese weddings are usually dominated by the color red.

'以...为主' means 'mainly consisting of'.

他在婚礼上发表了感人的讲话。

He gave a touching speech at the wedding.

'发表讲话' (give a speech).

由于下雨，婚礼改在室内举行。

Due to rain, the wedding was changed to be held indoors.

'由于' (due to) explaining the reason.

我还没决定好在婚礼上穿什么。

I haven't decided what to wear at the wedding yet.

'还没...好' indicates a decision not yet made.

这场婚礼办得很成功。

This wedding was held very successfully.

Verb + 得 + Adjective (complement of state).

婚礼结束后，大家一起去唱歌了。

After the wedding ended, everyone went to sing karaoke together.

'...结束后' means 'after ... ended'.

婚礼的每一个细节都经过了精心设计。

Every detail of the wedding was carefully designed.

'经过' (undergo/pass through) + '精心设计' (careful design).

现代年轻人的婚礼观念正在发生变化。

Modern young people's concepts of weddings are undergoing changes.

'正在发生' (is currently happening).

很多家长的压力来自于给孩子办一场体面的婚礼。

Many parents' pressure comes from holding a decent wedding for their children.

'来自于' (originates from).

婚礼司仪的幽默感带动了全场的气氛。

The wedding MC's sense of humor boosted the atmosphere of the whole venue.

'带动' (to drive/boost) + '气氛' (atmosphere).

虽然婚礼规模不大，但充满了温馨的气息。

Although the wedding scale wasn't large, it was full of a warm atmosphere.

'虽然...但...' (although... but...).

婚礼不仅是两个人的结合，更是两个家庭的融合。

A wedding is not only the union of two people but also the merging of two families.

'不仅...更是...' (not only... but even more...).

他因为工作原因无法亲自参加好朋友的婚礼。

He was unable to attend his best friend's wedding in person due to work reasons.

'无法' (unable) + '亲自' (in person).

这场婚礼融合了中西方的文化元素。

This wedding merged Chinese and Western cultural elements.

'融合' (to merge/fuse).

举办一场环保婚礼是他们共同的心愿。

Holding an eco-friendly wedding was their shared wish.

'举办...是...的心愿' (holding... is the wish).

婚礼上的繁文缛节有时会让新人感到疲惫不堪。

The over-elaborate rituals at a wedding can sometimes leave the newlyweds exhausted.

Idiom '繁文缛节' (over-elaborate formalities).

这场婚礼的布置极具艺术感，令人叹为观止。

The decoration of this wedding is extremely artistic, making people marvel.

Idiom '叹为观止' (to acclaim as the peak of perfection).

在某些地区，婚礼依然保留着古老的民俗传统。

In some areas, weddings still retain ancient folk traditions.

'依然保留' (still retain).

婚礼策划书里详细列出了所有的流程和应急预案。

The wedding plan detailed all the processes and contingency plans.

'详细列出' (list in detail).

他那场世纪婚礼在社交媒体上引发了广泛的热议。

His 'wedding of the century' sparked widespread heated discussion on social media.

'引发' (to trigger) + '热议' (heated discussion).

婚礼的庄严感被喧闹的背景音乐冲淡了许多。

The solemnity of the wedding was significantly diluted by the noisy background music.

'被...冲淡' (to be diluted by).

他们决定举行一场极简主义婚礼，返璞归真。

They decided to hold a minimalist wedding, returning to simplicity.

Idiom '返璞归真' (to return to original purity/simplicity).

婚礼不仅是一种仪式，更是一种社会契约的公开宣告。

A wedding is not only a ritual but also a public declaration of a social contract.

Abstract usage of '契约' (contract) and '宣告' (declaration).

纵观历史，婚礼的形式虽在演变，其核心社会功能依然稳固。

Looking throughout history, although the forms of weddings are evolving, their core social function remains solid.

Complex structure '纵观...虽...依然...'.

这场婚礼在奢华与低调之间找到了微妙的平衡。

This wedding found a delicate balance between luxury and low-key elegance.

'在...与...之间' (between ... and ...).

婚礼的每一个环节都承载着深厚的家族期待与文化底蕴。

Every part of the wedding carries profound family expectations and cultural heritage.

'承载' (to carry/bear) + '底蕴' (heritage/depth).

他在婚礼上的致辞不仅回顾了往昔，更展望了未来。

His speech at the wedding not only looked back at the past but also looked forward to the future.

'致辞' (formal speech) and '展望' (to look forward to).

对于很多女性而言，婚礼是她们身份转换的一个重要仪式。

For many women, a wedding is an important ritual for their identity transition.

'对于...而言' (as far as ... is concerned).

这场婚礼的审美风格深受古典主义的影响。

The aesthetic style of this wedding is deeply influenced by classicism.

'深受...的影响' (deeply influenced by).

婚礼的消解与重构反映了当代社会价值观的多元化。

The dissolution and reconstruction of the wedding reflect the diversification of contemporary social values.

Academic terms '消解' (dissolution) and '重构' (reconstruction).

这篇论文探讨了互联网时代虚拟婚礼的社会学意义。

This paper explores the sociological significance of virtual weddings in the internet era.

Formal academic context.

Synonyms

结婚典礼婚宴婚庆

Antonyms

葬礼

Common Collocations

举办婚礼

参加婚礼

一场婚礼

中式婚礼

西式婚礼

筹备婚礼

婚礼现场

婚礼策划

举行婚礼

盛大的婚礼

Common Phrases

婚礼请帖

— Wedding invitation. It is usually red and contains all the ceremony details.

我刚收到了他们的婚礼请帖。

婚礼进行曲

— Wedding March. The music played when the bride walks down the aisle.

婚礼进行曲响起来了。

婚礼司仪

— Wedding emcee/MC. The person who hosts and manages the ceremony flow.

好的婚礼司仪能让现场很热闹。

婚礼誓词

— Wedding vows. The promises the couple makes to each other.

他们的婚礼誓词非常感人。

婚礼跟拍

— Wedding photography/videography during the actual event.

我们请了专业的摄影师做婚礼跟拍。

婚礼红包

— Wedding red envelope. The cash gift given by guests to the couple.

别忘了准备婚礼红包。

婚礼致辞

— Wedding speech. Usually given by the parents, the best man, or the couple.

父亲的婚礼致辞让他流泪了。

婚礼花童

— Flower girl/boy. Children who walk ahead of the bride.

那两个婚礼花童非常可爱。

婚礼车队

— Wedding car convoy. A line of decorated cars used to transport the couple.

路上的婚礼车队非常显眼。

婚礼回礼

— Wedding return gift. A small gift given by the couple to the guests.

婚礼回礼是一盒精美的巧克力。

Often Confused With

婚礼 vs 结婚 (jiéhūn)

结婚 is the verb (to get married); 婚礼 is the noun (the ceremony).

婚礼 vs 婚宴 (hūnyàn)

婚宴 is specifically the meal/banquet; 婚礼 is the whole event.

婚礼 vs 礼仪 (lǐyí)

礼仪 is etiquette/ritual in general; 婚礼 is the specific marriage ritual.

Idioms & Expressions

"龙凤呈祥"

— The dragon and phoenix bring prosperity. A common motif at weddings.

婚礼现场到处都是龙凤呈祥的图案。

Formal/Traditional

"白头偕老"

— To live together until old age. A standard wedding blessing.

祝你们新婚快乐，白头偕老。

Standard Blessing

"百年好合"

— A harmonious union lasting a hundred years.

这对新人真是百年好合。

Standard Blessing

"早生贵子"

— May you soon give birth to a distinguished son. Traditional blessing.

亲戚们都祝他们早生贵子。

Traditional/Informal

"永结同心"

— To be of one heart forever.

愿你们永结同心，幸福美满。

Standard Blessing

"花好月圆"

— Blooming flowers and full moon; perfect happiness.

婚礼的布置充满了花好月圆的意境。

Literary

"天作之合"

— A match made in heaven.

大家都说他们是天作之合。

Standard

"喜气洋洋"

— Full of joy and happiness.

整个婚礼现场喜气洋洋。

Colloquial

"珠联璧合"

— A perfect pair (like a string of pearls and a jade ornament).

这场婚礼真是珠联璧合，非常完美。

Literary

"鸾凤和鸣"

— The male and female phoenix sing in harmony; marital bliss.

祝愿你们鸾凤和鸣，恩爱一生。

Classical/Formal

Easily Confused

婚礼 vs 葬礼 (zànglǐ)

Both end in 'lǐ' (ritual).

婚礼 is for weddings; 葬礼 is for funerals. They are emotional opposites.

我们应该去参加婚礼，而不是葬礼。

婚礼 vs 典礼 (diǎnlǐ)

Both mean ceremony.

典礼 is broad (graduation, opening); 婚礼 is specific to marriage.

毕业典礼和婚礼都很重要。

婚礼 vs 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) vs 婚庆 (hūnqìng)

Both relate to wedding celebrations.

婚礼 is the event; 婚庆 refers to the industry or the overall celebration activities.

他在婚庆公司策划婚礼。

婚礼 vs 送礼 (sònglǐ) vs 婚礼 (hūnlǐ)

Both contain 'lǐ'.

送礼 is the verb 'to give a gift'; 婚礼 is the noun 'wedding ceremony'.

在婚礼上我们要送礼。

婚礼 vs 喜事 (xǐshì) vs 婚礼 (hūnlǐ)

Both refer to happy occasions.

喜事 is any happy event (birth, promotion); 婚礼 is specifically a wedding.

结婚是人生的一大喜事。

Sentence Patterns

这是 + [Possessive] + 婚礼。

这是我的婚礼。

我参加了 + [Person] + 的婚礼。

我参加了哥哥的婚礼。

为了 + [Goal], 他们举办了婚礼。

为了庆祝，他们举办了婚礼。

婚礼不仅...更是...

婚礼不仅是两个人的事，更是两个家庭的事。

在...中，婚礼扮演了...角色。

在传统文化中，婚礼扮演了重要的角色。

纵观...，婚礼的...反映了...

纵观历史，婚礼的变化反映了社会的进步。

婚礼在 + [Location] + 举行。

婚礼在教堂举行。

由于 + [Reason], 婚礼被迫 + [Action]。

由于天气，婚礼被迫改期。

Word Family

Nouns

婚约 (hūnyuē - engagement)

婚纱 (hūnshā - wedding dress)

婚期 (hūnqī - wedding date)

婚宴 (hūnyàn - wedding banquet)

Verbs

结婚 (jiéhūn - to get married)

订婚 (dìnghūn - to get engaged)

复婚 (fùhūn - to remarry each other)

征婚 (zhēnghūn - to look for a spouse)

Adjectives

已婚 (yǐhūn - married)

未婚 (wèihūn - unmarried)

新婚 (xīnhūn - newly married)

再婚 (zàihūn - remarried)

伴郎 (bànláng - best man)

伴娘 (bànniáng - bridesmaid)

公证 (gōngzhèng - notarization/legal marriage)

民政局 (mínzhèngjú - Civil Affairs Bureau)

洞房 (dòngfáng - bridal chamber)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in social contexts and media.

Common Mistakes

Using '个' as the measure word. → 一场婚礼
While '个' is understood, '场' is the specific measure word for events and ceremonies, showing higher language proficiency.
Saying '我参加结婚'. → 我参加婚礼
You participate in an event (婚礼), not an action (结婚). You can say '我参加了他们的婚礼'.
Wearing white to a traditional wedding. → Wearing bright colors like red or pink.
White is traditionally the color of mourning in China. Unless it's a Western-themed wedding, avoid it.
Giving a clock as a wedding gift. → Giving a red envelope or household items.
'送钟' (giving a clock) sounds like '送终' (attending a funeral), which is a huge taboo at a 婚礼.
Confusing 婚礼 and 婚宴. → Using 婚礼 for the whole day and 婚宴 for the dinner.
If you are only talking about the food, 婚宴 is more precise. 婚礼 is the ceremony.

Tips

Red Envelopes

Always bring a red envelope (红包) to a 婚礼. The amount should be an even number, but never including the number 4. Write your name clearly on the back so the couple knows who it's from.

Blessings

Learn a few four-character idioms like '百年好合' (Bǎinián hǎohé) to say to the couple. It shows you respect their culture and have put effort into your Chinese.

Dress Code

Don't wear white or black. White is for funerals and black is considered unlucky. Opt for red, pink, or other bright, happy colors to fit the 'Xi' (joyful) atmosphere.

Measure Word

Use '场' (chǎng) for 婚礼. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using '个' (gè).

Seating

At a 婚礼 banquet, seating is usually assigned. Look for your name or ask the usher. The tables closest to the stage are for the most important family members.

Toasting

The couple will usually go from table to table to toast (敬酒). When they come to your table, stand up and offer your congratulations.

Noun vs Verb

Remember: 婚礼 = Noun, 结婚 = Verb. You attend a 婚礼, you don't '婚礼' someone.

Variations

Be aware that 婚礼 customs in the north of China can be very different from the south. North tends to be louder and earlier in the day; south often focuses more on the evening banquet.

Business Context

If you are invited to a client's 婚礼, it is a sign of a very good relationship. Attending is highly recommended for 'Guanxi' building.

Wedding Candy

You will often receive '喜糖' (happy candy). Even if you don't like sweets, take some—it's meant to share the couple's sweetness and luck with you.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Hūn' as the 'Honey' you marry, and 'Lǐ' as the 'Lily' flowers at the ceremony. Honey and Lilies make a 婚礼.

Visual Association

Imagine a woman (女) standing under the setting sun (昏) receiving a gift (礼) on a table.

Word Web

结婚婚纱红包喜酒司仪请帖新郎新娘

Challenge

Try to describe your dream 婚礼 using five adjectives and three verbs (举办, 参加, 邀请).

Word Origin

The word consists of '婚' and '礼'. '婚' originally meant 'dusk' (昏) because ancient weddings were held at sunset. The 'woman' radical (女) was added later to specify the social act. '礼' (ritual/etiquette) comes from the ancient concept of sacrificial rites to gods and ancestors.

Original meaning: A ritual performed at dusk to take a wife.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Avoid discussing divorce or death during a 婚礼. Avoid wearing pure white (funeral color) unless it's a clearly Western-style event where the bride wears white.

Westerners focus on 'The Big Day' and the romantic vows. In China, the focus is often on the 'Banquet' and family union.

Ang Lee's movie 'The Wedding Banquet' (喜宴) explores these themes. The 'Double Happiness' (囍) symbol seen at every 婚礼. The 'Crying Marriage' traditions in some ethnic minority 婚礼.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a hotel

请问婚礼大厅在哪？
我是来参加婚礼的。
婚礼几点开始？
签到处在哪里？

Planning with a partner

我们的婚礼想办什么风格？
婚礼预算是多少？
我们要请哪些人参加婚礼？
婚礼的日期定了吗？

Talking to a friend

你参加过中式婚礼吗？
那场婚礼真的很感人。
你的婚礼打算什么时候办？
我收到了一个婚礼邀请。

Giving a gift

这是给你们的婚礼红包。
祝你们婚礼圆满成功。
一点小意思，祝贺你们婚礼。
新婚快乐！

Media/News

这场世纪婚礼备受关注。
婚礼在网上直播。
明星婚礼的开销惊人。
这是一场别具一格的婚礼。

Conversation Starters

"你最近参加过婚礼吗？ (Have you attended a wedding recently?)"

"你觉得中式婚礼和西式婚礼哪个更好？ (Do you think Chinese or Western weddings are better?)"

"你理想中的婚礼是什么样的？ (What is your ideal wedding like?)"

"在你的国家，婚礼通常持续多久？ (In your country, how long does a wedding usually last?)"

"你收到的最特别的婚礼礼物是什么？ (What is the most special wedding gift you've received?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你参加过的最难忘的婚礼。 (Describe the most memorable wedding you have attended.)

如果你要举办婚礼，你会邀请哪些人？为什么？ (If you were to hold a wedding, who would you invite and why?)

谈谈你对现代年轻人选择“简办婚礼”的看法。 (Discuss your views on modern young people choosing to have simple weddings.)

婚礼在你的文化中有什么特殊的意义？ (What special meaning does a wedding have in your culture?)

想象一下五十年后的婚礼会是什么样子。 (Imagine what weddings will look like fifty years from now.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

For a Chinese 婚礼, avoid wearing all white or all black, as these colors are associated with funerals. Red is the luckiest color, but as a guest, you don't want to outshine the bride. Bright, festive colors like pink, purple, or gold are excellent choices. If it is a Western-style 婚礼 in a city like Shanghai, a standard suit or a cocktail dress is perfectly acceptable.

The amount for a 婚礼红包 depends on your relationship with the couple and your local economy. Generally, it should be an even number, but avoid the number 4 (which sounds like 'death'). Numbers like 6 (smooth) and 8 (wealth) are popular. For a colleague, 500-800 RMB might be standard; for a close friend, 1000 RMB or more is common. Always use a brand new red envelope.

Technically, 婚礼 refers to the ceremony, while 婚宴 refers to the banquet. However, in common speech, people use 婚礼 to cover the entire day's events, including the morning door games, the tea ceremony, the legal vows, and the evening dinner. If you are invited to a 婚礼, you are expected to attend both the ceremony and the meal.

No, that is a common mistake. '婚礼' is a noun. You must say '我要举办婚礼' (I am going to hold a wedding) or '我要结婚了' (I am getting married). Think of it like English: you don't say 'I wedding tomorrow,' you say 'I have a wedding tomorrow' or 'I get married tomorrow.'

The 'Double Happiness' (囍, shuāngxǐ) is a traditional Chinese character ornament used as a decoration at a 婚礼. It consists of two '喜' (joy) characters side-by-side. It represents the union of the two people and the double joy brought to both families. You will see it on walls, invitations, and even carved into food at the 婚礼.

Most 婚礼 in mainland China are secular. They focus on family, tradition, and social obligation rather than religious rites. However, some couples choose to have a Christian 婚礼 in a church if they are believers. Traditional 婚礼 involve bowing to ancestors and parents, which is a ritualistic but not necessarily 'religious' act in the Western sense.

The tea ceremony is a crucial part of a traditional 婚礼. The couple kneels before their parents and serves them tea. This is a sign of respect and gratitude for raising them. In return, the parents give the couple red envelopes and blessings. It is often the most emotional part of the 婚礼.

Yes, they are called 伴郎 (bànláng) and 伴娘 (bànniáng). In modern Chinese 婚礼, they play a similar role to those in Western weddings, helping with logistics and participating in the ceremony. A unique Chinese tradition involves the 伴娘 'guarding the door' and making the groom perform tasks to prove his love before he can see the bride.

A 婚礼 can be a whole-day affair. It often starts early in the morning with the groom picking up the bride. There are rituals throughout the day, followed by a large banquet in the evening that usually starts around 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM. The banquet itself lasts about 2-3 hours, but the 'event' of the 婚礼 occupies the entire day.

While it's best to be on time, Chinese 婚宴 (banquets) often have a flexible start time. However, if there is a specific 'ceremony' (仪式) scheduled, you should definitely be there early. Arriving late can be seen as a lack of respect for the couple and their families, especially if you miss the main ritual or the 'face-giving' moments.